Patriots offense: Hunter Henry exits against Dolphins

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry left his matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday with a foot injury. The injury occurred during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Henry briefly visited the sideline medical tent before walking toward the locker room. The team initially listed him as questionable to return.

Henry appeared on the sideline twice after his initial exit. He returned later in the second quarter and again at the start of the third quarter. He retreated to the locker room before playing another snap. The Patriots officially ruled him out midway through the fourth quarter.

The loss of Henry taxed an already depleted offensive roster. Wide receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and Mack Hollins missed the game with injuries. Running back TreVeyon Henderson and starting offensive linemen Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker also sat out. Henry served as a team captain and one of quarterback Drake Maye's most reliable targets.

Following Henry's first-half exit, Maye's available receiving corps consisted of DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams, Ryan Miller, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin, and Cameron Latu. Only Douglas entered the game with more than 20 career receptions among that group. Henry entered Week 8 as the Patriots leader in catches with 26, receiving yards with 296, and catch rate at 83.9%.

Henry caught three of his first four targets for 30 yards against Miami before his injury. Those 30 yards accounted for more than half of Maye's first-half passing output. Maye completed four of seven passes for 23 yards to other players before halftime. The Patriots later rallied to win the game 24-19, with Maye connecting with Williams and Douglas on two touchdown passes.

Henry finished his season leading the team in receptions in 2023, 2024, and 2025. He ranks as the second-longest-tenured player on the roster behind Onwenu. Maye noted that Henry remained in good spirits after the game. The quarterback said he was worried about Henry when he saw him get up from the catch.

"It's always tough losing Hunt," Maye said. "Any time with Hunt and Eli in there, when we were down some receivers, those guys were going to be big for us." Maye added that Henry seemed fine in the locker room and had a smile on his face.

Head coach Mike Vrabel commended the players who stepped into Henry's absence. Raridon caught one of four targets for five yards and dropped a pass in the fourth quarter. Arkin and Latu were not targeted. Vrabel stated that the offensive staff moved players around effectively in a tough road division game.